Stoughton High School administration and guidance staff work very hard to maximize the opportunities for all students to go to college. In the last 5 years, 89% of our graduates have gone to either 2 or 4 year colleges. These are numbers to be proud of, in fact they rival prep school numbers. Other students, not included in these numbers, go into the military, a noble choice, and an excellent way to attend college after the completion of national service, which many of them do, using veterans benefits.
People who earn bachelor’s degrees earn at least $10,000 annually more than high school graduates. Even so, post-secondary education does not have to mean the traditional 4 year liberal arts degree. Indeed, we have entered an era in which the cost of these is not necessarily justified by the pay off for many people. That is why we have initiated a number of ways to get a bachelor’s degree in cheaper, non-traditional ways. There are many programs, including programs in many trades and professions, ranging from intensive 8 month courses to 2 year degrees that can increase a graduate’s earning power and career options. The staff must help the students, and their families answer many questions about cost, and value for money, as well as help the students get into the best college for their aspirations and aptitude. To achieve this we have some unique initiatives in place, including unusual SAT and PSAT offerings, aggressive preparation options, a sophisticated software for college selection, highly competitive curriculum, and the opportunity to earn a significant amount of college credit while still in high school at a nominal cost.
The process of getting into college, and selecting the best college choice for each individual, is complicated and difficult, particularly for students whose parents have not been through the process themselves, or with older siblings. The last census told us that 28% of adults in Stoughton have a college degree, so many of our parents don’t have the experience with the process that parents in affluent communities have. There are many gates to pass through, deadlines to meet, tasks to complete, and complex processes to understand. Because of this dynamic, Stoughton High School has many interventions in place outlined below:
Naviance: Getting your information organized and making the right choices.
Through this program sophomores are able to take interest inventories for career and college planning and have their grades, SAT scores, GPA, and other data points entered into the system so that they can see how they compare statistically with students who have gone before them in the college selection process. A senior this year, for example, can see how their profile compares with students who have been accepted into their colleges of choice. Parents have access to this information as well, so they can participate in the decision making process. Guidance counselors are teaching a course that instructs students in the use of the program, and other skills needed to successfully negotiate the college process.
SAT’s and related preparations:
The SAT’s are a significant and sometimes controversial element of the college acceptance process. Communities have been known to judge themselves by their SAT scores. For generations they have been required to be considered by any college. Now there are colleges that no longer require SAT scores, including the UMass system, although it is still highly advantageous to have them. While the UMass system no longer requires SAT scores for students with a GPA of 3.0 or above, they can improve a student’s chances of acceptance there, and in other colleges and universities.
We know after years of experience that although the SAT is supposed to be an aptitude test, a good prep course can greatly improve scores. Test familiarity is also a huge factor; that’s why PSAT’s are so useful. Because the SAT’s are such an important part of the college admissions process, Stoughton has made the commitment to ensure that all sophomores and juniors take the test. The district pays for the test, and gives it to the students during the school day. We make sure that no student will miss the chance to go to college because they have missed this significant gate. Because they have taken the PSAT, many more students actually take the SAT, and their scores are better because of test familiarity. Many students who did not envision themselves going to college are happily surprised at their scores and change their mind. Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT at SHS, in March, and then again in May or June. Familiar testing site, and multiple sittings increase success. Our top students’ scores rival those of the very best anywhere. Because the majority of our students take the test, not just the top students in the class, the average score in Stoughton can be lower than in a town where only the top ranked students take it. We remain committed to this philosophy, because the chance for more of our students to go to college is more important to us than the perception of others. The college attendance rates show that this approach has been effective.
Because prep courses are known to work to boost scores, and many families do not have the time or resources for them, SHS now offers the prep course during the school day, and allows the students to get high school credit for it. This will help our students compete with those whose aptitude might be the same, but whose preparation is better. Next year, the budget allows for an SAT prep book for every junior at the high school.
Dual Enrollment: earn college credit while in high school
Perhaps Stoughton High School’s most innovative approach to the college admissions process is the Dual Enrollment program with Quincy College. Four year degrees are financially out of reach for many students these days. But if one participates in the Dual Enrollment program while still in high school, it can yield an entire year of college credit at a very nominal cost. This credit is then transferable to any college or university, reducing the cost of a bachelor’s degree by 25%. Anyone in the program can finish their associate’s degree at Quincy for moderate cost, and then go on to a 4 year college and earn a degree for about 50% of the cost. A degree from a prestigious institution of higher learning is of equal value whether or not it was started at that particular institution. The diploma is the same, even if the cost is far less because of strategic planning and budgeting. The cost of college and the attached debt have been the subject of much conversation and many news stories of late. At Stoughton High School we have been addressing these concerns for 6 years through this wonderful relationship with Quincy.
Making Our Students Attractive to the Best Colleges
College admissions staff want to know that the students they accept come from schools with rigorous academic programs that have prepared the students for challenging work at the university level. They want to know that the students they accept will be able to stay in school once they matriculate. Stoughton High School has achieved Level 1 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts this year, a status only awarded to about 20% of schools. This has been noticed by some admissions officers, who have actually commented on it when interviewing our seniors this year. One student received an early acceptance to one of his first choices right after an admissions interviewer remarked on the school’s Level 1. This designation gives them confidence that our students have had a high quality of preparation.
Stoughton High School offers Advanced Placement Courses (AP) in English Language, English Literature, US History, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science, French, Spanish, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. These courses are highly rigorous and taught using the same curriculum and standards as the most competitive schools in the country. The test is a national test, and so students tests are graded along side those from other states and all types of high schools. A qualifying score of 3,4, or 5 can earn a student credit in college before they start. Even those colleges that don’t award credit recognize the AP classes as strong preparation for college work. These classes yield the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) numbers.
Quincy College Courses also provide an enhancement of the GPA to recognize the level of work required. Honors classes contribute to the GPA score as well, and we offer honors courses in the following subjects:
English: English 9, 10, 11, 12
Mathematics: Geometry, Algebra II with Trigonometry, Differential Calculus
Science: Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry II, Engineering, Physics, Physiology
Social Studies: World History, US History I, US History II
World Languages: French II, III, IV, V; Spanish II, III, IV, V; Latin II, Advanced Latin Poetry, Advanced Latin Prose
Fine Arts: Band, Chorus (Honors credit requires independent work plus significant participation outside of school hours)
Our students also compete and do very well in the national language exams in Latin, Spanish and French. Stoughton is very proud to have maintained our course offerings in world languages through the economic downturn, even adding Mandarin Chinese, thereby expanding the offerings beyond the romance languages. Our students will be competing on the world stage for all kinds of jobs and professions. Exposure to multiple world cultures adds to the skills they can draw upon.
Stoughton is a diverse community with many students who do not come from families who have attended college, and therefore never navigated this difficult and complicated process. Nevertheless, our students should have the opportunity to take advantage of the top jobs and college places. We have many programs in place to level the playing field, and assist all of our students in safely traveling the complex paths to successful life after high school in a competitive world economy.